One of Mexico’s most violent drug cartels announced its intent to take over wealthy San Pedro, claiming the mayor is an ally. Rival groups were warned to fall in line or face violence. Unlike other criminal organizations, this cartel is currently led by the terrorist behind a grenade attack on a U.S. Consulate office. The cartel is waging war against a rival group led by a man wanted in the U.S. for ordering an assassination in Dallas.

MIGUEL ALEMAN, Tamaulipas – Cartel gunmen from Los Zetas forced a kidnapped Mexican politician to talk about his ties to a rival organization that dominates this border city. The confession was video recorded and shared on social media as a way to justify the kidnapping and announce the Zeta’s plan to take control of the region.

VERACRUZ, Veracruz — Fierce gun battles, torched trucks, blockaded highways, mass closure of businesses, and endless violence are the initial results of a weekend of skirmishes triggered by cartel gunmen in this coastal state. The conflict was previously announced by Jalisco Cartel Nueva Generación (CJNG) with banners complaining of government corruption and promises of war.

Mexican authorities are investigating the discovery of 19 bodies that were wrapped in black plastic bags and dumped into a canal in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Jalisco. This is the second discovery of multiple bodies after cartel gunmen recently dumped seven other bodies near a highway.

NUEVO LAREDO, Tamaulipas – Cartel gunmen working for a convicted terrorist kidnapped, tortured, and humiliated a citizen journalist who recorded a recent gun battle and dared to share the footage on social media. The attack is the second of its kind in recent weeks where Los Zetas tried to scare locals into silence.

MIGUEL ALEMAN, Tamaulipas – The mayor of this border city publicly announced the kidnapping of an elected councilman. By speaking out and asking for help from state authorities, the politician said he is putting a target on the local government.

MATAMOROS, Tamaulipas – A U.S. citizen died last week and another was injured when stray bullets struck them during a shootout near an international port of entry in Los Indios. Several other motorists were also injured when they were caught in a battle between cartel gunmen and Mexican authorities.

REYNOSA, Tamaulipas – Mexican authorities are investigating the local kidnapping of 19 victims after a bus hijacking by cartel gunmen. The scene of the incident sits within contested territory of rival Gulf Cartel factions.

Military troops assigned to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, killed six gunmen from a faction of Los Zetas during fierce gun battles. After the shootout with the gunmen from the Cartel Del Noreste faction of Los Zetas, the military seized.50 caliber rifles, machine guns, tactical equipment, and several allegedly stolen trucks.

MATAMOROS, Tamaulipas – Military forces evacuated the administrative offices of this border city after a 911 caller claimed there were explosives in the building. The threat came one day after Mexican federal authorities in San Luis Potosi arrested the leader of the Gulf Cartel, the criminal organization that controls Matamoros.

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Tamaulipas – A team of cartel gunmen stormed a local birthday party, killing four victims and injuring nine others. The attack is believed to be part of an ongoing turf war between rival factions of Los Zetas cartel.